Citizens Demands It...

“The Public Demands It”: Watch San Francisco Demonstrators Hit the Streets for Impeachment

They want Trump out. Will Congress listen?

CAMILLE SQUIRES

With picket signs, chants and a clear message—impeach and remove President Donald Trump—hundreds of protesters rallied Tuesday at San Francisco’s Federal Plaza on the eve of a crucial House vote to impeach the president. The rally, one of over 600 nationwide, was organized by the progressive activist group Indivisible. As they marched from the Federal Building to the office of Sen. Kamala Harris, bundled against the December chill, demonstrators raised their voices and signs against Trump.

At the San Francisco rally, participants said that they hoped to send a message to Congress.

“I want elected officials and the media to see that the public supports impeachment,” said Johnathan Goldman, an activist at the rally. “This is popular. It is both right and popular. The public demands it.”

Goldman, who previously worked for the activist group Swing Left, expressed his belief that impeachment represented a critical moment for the country. “If we don’t stand up and say that this is impeachable, then nothing is.”

Others at the event appeared to grapple with a conflict between the gravity of the allegations against Trump and a lack of faith in Congress’ wiliness to act.

“I think [impeachment] is the only responsible thing to do. He has so clearly violated both the spirit and letter of the law, every chance he gets, that we have no choice,” said Edna Stoehr, another attendee. She was clear in her reasoning for marching, but less hopeful about the results. “For the Senate, I think nothing will shame them. I think that cynicism and hypocrisy will, I hope, come back to haunt them.”